Getting injured on the job can be a painful experience, both physically and mentally in dealing with the insurance company. Not only do you have to deal with trying to get better, you must also have to watch out for the insurance company’s attempts to deny and devalue your claim at every turn.
The Three D’s That Insurance Companies Use In Workers’ Compensation Cases
Insurance companies only care about the bottom line: the profit they can receive from selling insurance policies. To do this, they have devised policies to get the most profit from their clients; to give the lowest amount of compensation possible to a workers’ compensation claim, or none at all. This motto is what attorney Chris Hudson refers to as the three D’s: Deny, Delay, and Defend.
Similar to the tricks and games insurance companies play with car or truck accident claims, Workers’ Compensation can be just as worse. Instead of voluntarily paying the benefits required under the law, insurance companies will try to deny you at every turn. If the insurance company fails at denying the claim, then their next motive is to delay. This delay may be in the form of paying your weekly benefits late, paying mileage requests late, or delaying necessary medical treatment. Often the goal is to delay the case so that the injured worker will get fed up and take a low settlement offer.
If delaying benefits does not cause the employee to settle out for less than the case is worth, the insurance then goes into the Defend mode. Insurance companies often hire large corporate law firms and attorneys to defend claims and attempt to escape paying benefits by raising frivolous defenses. For example, the insurer may claim that the claim should not be paid because you had a pre-existing condition or that the treatment you seek is not medically necessary. The insurer may also attempt to blame you for the accident. To fight against these tactics, you must have an experienced local Augusta workers’ compensation attorney to fight the insurance company and their team of lawyers.
I Can’t Afford An Attorney, I Can Barely Work To Keep My Bills Paid!
Concerned about all of the costs that it takes to hire an attorney to handle your workers’ compensation claim? The benefit of having an attorney greatly outweighs fighting the insurance company on your own behalf. It’s possible that you might never get the compensation you need because the insurance company will delay you until you give up, or worse, going to Court alone and not having the legal knowledge to prosecute your case and enforce your rights under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws.
Chris Hudson & Associates will take on your case on a contingency basis. Meaning, you do not pay any costs or fees until you collect benefits or settle your claim. Furthermore, under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act, attorneys cannot charge more than 25 percent of your benefits, and no more than $100 in fees without approval of the Board of Worker’s Compensation. Therefore, unlike other personal injury claims, where it is customary for attorneys to charge a contingency fee of 33-40%, this means more money in your pocket after the case is concluded.
Have You Been Injured At Work?
If you’ve been injured on the job you need to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Augusta office directly at 706.863.6600 to schedule your free consultation.